Michelle "MishManners" Duke
DevRel 🥑 | Hackathon Queen®™ | Founder | Esports Queen
Melbourne, Australia
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Mish is a multi-talented personality in the tech and gaming communities. Mish has worked in the technology space for the last decade and has a tonne of experience in developer advocacy, community management, marketing, and content creation. Mish has spoken at over 400 events on topics like AI, the future of work, communication, teamwork, and has given technical demos. She's a respected leader in the hackathon community, having won, organised, and mentored over 120 hackathons.
Mish is a successful entrepreneur and founder, having co-founded several companies – including an artificial intelligence company, and as a result, sits at the forefront of Melbourne’s science, tech, esports, and startup scenes. In her 'spare' time she’s a streamer, journalist, loves playing sports, and is always working on something exciting.
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Skills for the age of AI
What skills are needed to ensure I still have a job, and how do I obtain them?
With the rise of AI and automation, how do we as humans find our value in the workplace? How do we work with these new technologises? How do we build resilience to changes? What soft skills are needed for us to thrive in this new world?
People have often felt apprehensive about change, especially big changes to the way we work. It happened in the industrial revolution and now it's happening with the rise of artificial intelligence. Five years ago these things existed, but now they are accessible to almost everyone, and in a lot of cases they are doing our jobs for us.
In this session I'll cover:
- What is work
- Why it is important for to people to work
- Industrial revolutions
- Artificial Intelligence and applications
- Fears, concerns, ethics
- Working with AI
- Soft skills and how to cultivate them
How to effectively pitch your idea
When it comes to building a business, developing a new idea, or getting people onboard your team, be required to pitch your ideas. Selling your idea to investors, your manager, potential teammates, the higher ups, or anyone you want to partner with, is crucial to the success of your idea.
How does one do this effectively without sounding egotistical? I'll teach you the MAGIC formula for pitching any idea, to anyone. You can use this magic formula for an elevator pitch, a 5 minute lighting round, a 20 minute session, or even an hour long workshop.
At the end of my session, you'll walk away with a playbook on how to "sell" your idea to get what you want. You'll also receive tips and tricks for effectively pitching your idea.
In this talk you'll learn:
- Why it's important to pitch ideas in the first place
- Why is communication important
- The MAGIC formula for pitching any idea
- Pro tips on presentations in any format
- When should you use "the pitch"
Unlocking growth, collaboration and impact through developer communities
Developer communities are more than just places to ask questions or share code. They are platforms where careers grow, ideas spark, and real impact happens. In this talk, I’ll draw on my experience building and contributing to global developer programs, including initiatives like GitHub Stars, Twilio Champions, and more to explore what makes a community truly thrive.
We’ll dive into how communities across platforms like Discord, Reddit, and Twitch create opportunities for learning, visibility, and connection, whether you’re just starting out or looking to level up. I’ll share practical ways developers can get involved, contribute meaningfully, and turn participation into career growth.
We’ll also unpack what separates a good community from a great one, from fostering psychological safety to encouraging collaboration and recognising contributions. Whether you’re a developer, advocate, or community builder, you’ll walk away with actionable insights on how to find your people, grow your presence, and help shape communities that give back as much as they give you.
Skills for the age of AI developer tools
With the rise of AI and automation, how do we as humans find our value in the workplace? How do we work with these new technologies? How do we build resilience to changes? What skills are needed for us to thrive in this new world?
People have often felt apprehensive about change, especially big changes to the way we work. It happened in the industrial revolution and now it's happening with the rise of artificial intelligence. Five years ago these things existed, but now they are accessible to almost everyone.
In this session I'll cover:
- What is work and why should we work
- Industrial revolutions
- Artificial Intelligence and applications
- Fears and concerns
- Working with AI
- Skills for AI developer tooling
- Soft skills and how to cultivate them
Git Good and level up your version control
Ever accidentally deleted a file and wished there was an "undo" button? Have you struggled to collaborate on code without chaos? Enter Git. It's the ultimate time machine for developers. Whether you're new to coding or never really understood Git beyond git clone, we'll break it all down in this talk, because version control shouldn't feel like rocket science 🚀.
In this talk we'll explore why Git exists, how it helps teams (and even solo developers) stay sane when building projects. We'll demystify terms like commits, branches, and merge conflicts. I'll give you some practical tips to Git Good, and you'll walk away, armed with the knowledge to put version control into practice.
In this talk, I'll cover:
✅ What is version control
✅ What is Git
✅ Why Git is essential for every developer
✅ How to track changes, collaborate, and avoid disasters
✅ The magic of branches and why you should use them
✅ How to recover from mistakes like a pro
✅ How you can use GitHub with Git
✅ What to do when you get stuck
No prior Git experience required.
GG, how you can use git and GitHub for game development
Are you a game developer or have you ever thought about writing a game? Have you thought about source control when it comes to video game development?
In this talk I'll cover git and some of the issues surrounding source control and gaming. We'll look at some open source game engines you can use to develop games, and some of the challenges in the gaming industry.
Key takeaways:
- what is git
- why is source control hard in gaming?
- what is the industry standard?
- alternatives
- open source game engines for developing code
- how to get involved in game development
Beyond Code: Unraveling AI's Origins and Futures
Where did AI really come from? Where did it all start and where's it all going?
In this talk let's explore where AI all started. Drawing on my experience founding an AI company in 2016 (which is still going), let's embark on a journey through the history of artificial intelligence (AI), delving into its origins and casting a visionary gaze towards the future. From humble beginnings to the cutting-edge advancements of today, we unravel the how behind AI's evolution, exploring the pivotal moments, key influencers, and transformative breakthroughs that have shaped its trajectory. We'll include a look at the origins of GitHub Copilot and how it's shaping the lives of developers.
This talk doesn't just focus on the past. We also look into the uncharted territories of supposedly AI's limitless potential. We'll consider some of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. How AI might potentially redefine industries, reshape human interactions, and impact the very fabric of our existence. I'll also leave you with some takeaways on skills we need as humans to stay ahead of the game when it comes to AI, and ensure we are equipped to have a job in a world where AI will seemingly be working alongside us.
How I used GitHub Projects to move my house
GitHub Projects is an often forgotten or underutilised GitHub feature. It's a powerful tool for managing your projects, whether they be software development, or a personal hobby.
This adaptable, flexible tool for planning and tracking work can be used by developers and non-developers alike. It's one of the best ways you can have your team working together across all disciplines.
In this talk, you'll see GitHub Projects in action, and see how I used GitHub issues, forms, tasks, milestones, timelines, and automation to help plan my house move.
DevOps isn't just about developing
It's widely accepted that DevOps is as much a cultural shift as it is about the technology that's used. DevOps consists of four main pillars, one of which is collaboration.
Collaboration is so important, it's also nothing new. As our future of work is moving towards this soft skill, how do we find our ultimate dream team, and work effectively across an entire organisation to build the best products and services?
In this session I'll talk about why collaboration is important and how developers and non-developers can work better together. I'll also give you some tips on tools to use for more effective collaboration and teamwork across multidisciplinary teams.
Releases Galore - how and why to ship software releases
Not every developer does a software release. Sometimes they'll just commit to main. What are the advantages of releasing your project? How can you automate the whole process to make it easier?
Learn all about software releases, how to ship releases, and how to automate this process. You'll also find out how you can submit your major project releases to be featured on GitHub!
Ensuring quality testing in an AI-driven world
As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the software development landscape, testing is evolving at a rapid pace. Traditional testing methods are being augmented or replaced, by AI-driven automation, predictive analytics, and intelligent quality assurance. But with these advancements come new challenges. Can AI really understand human intent? How do we ensure fairness, reliability, and ethical considerations? Where does empathy fit in a world increasingly dominated by algorithms?
In this keynote, we’ll explore the intersection of AI and software testing, diving into how quality assurance professionals can adapt, innovate, and stay ahead. We’ll discuss the role of human oversight in AI-driven testing, strategies for balancing automation with critical thinking, and the future of testing in an era where software quality directly impacts real-world experiences.
It's an exciting future of testing, where AI enhances our capabilities, yet human empathy and intuition remain irreplaceable.
In this talk, I'll cover:
✅ Evolution of software testing
✅ What is AI-driven testing
✅ How to effectively use AI in testing
✅ Role of people in testing
✅ Future of testing
Supercharge Your Workflow with GitHub Copilot's modes, models, and methods
Whether you're a seasoned developer or just starting your coding journey, GitHub Copilot is your pair programmer, productivity booster, and creative collaborator. In this hands-on, four-hour workshop, we’ll take a deep dive into the full potential of GitHub Copilot, which goes beyond the magic of simply autocomplete.
We'll break down GitHub Copilot's different methods of use (autocomplete, inline suggestions, and chat) as well as different ways of interacting with GitHub Copilot (web, Copilot for CLI, Docs, and even on mobile). We'll look at the different modes that GitHub Copilot now has available (ask, edit, and agent) and lookin into the various models in use. We'll discuss how you can choose the model that works for you. We'll walk through how you can incorporate Copilot into your development workflows effectively and ethically.
Participants will learn about the MCP (Multimodal Copilot Platform) and how it powers GitHub’s AI features across the ecosystem and you’ll discover how to work with Copilot in various environments, tailor its suggestions, debug code, write tests, and even co-create documentation.
By the end of this workshop you'll have learned:
✅ How to use GitHub Copilot's different modes, models, and methods
✅ How to use prompt engineering for better results
✅ How to choose between various models based on real-world use cases across programming languages and stacks
✅ How to use GitHub Copilot responsibly: code quality, copyright, and collaboration
✅ How to use Advanced Copilot Chat capabilities for problem-solving and code explanation
✅ Other ways GitHub Copilot can help with your workflow: Documentation, PRs, and reviews
✅ What is MCP and how it relates to GitHub Copilot
✅ Bonus: GitHub Copilot extensions
Whether you're looking to save time, spark innovation, or deepen your understanding of AI-assisted development, this workshop will equip you with actionable techniques and confidence to use GitHub Copilot like a pro.
Bring your laptop and your curiosity. You'll also need a GitHub account (GitHub Copilot is free for all users).
How to build an awesome DevRel program
Great developer communities don’t just happen, they’re intentionally designed, nurtured, and grown over time.
In this talk, I’ll share my experience building and contributing to global developer programs, from helping shape initiatives like GitHub Stars to leading the APJ for Twilio Champions. But I’m not just speaking from the program side. I’ve also been an ambassador myself in multiple communities, which gives me a unique, full-circle perspective on what truly makes these programs work.
We’ll explore what separates a good DevRel program from a great one: how to build something developers actually want to be part of, how to foster genuine connection (not just transactions), and how to create opportunities that empower advocates to grow, contribute, and thrive.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or evolving an existing program, you’ll walk away with practical strategies for building communities that are inclusive, impactful, and built to last. You'll be ready to build or expand your program into something ambassadors really want to be a part of.
How to build a conversational voice AI assistant, and why you'd want to
We learn to talk before we can read, write, or type, making voice humanity's most natural form of communication. Yet for decades, we have forced ourselves to interact with machines through rigid code and text queries. Today, technology is finally catching up. By combining speech-to-text, large language models, and text-to-speech, we can now build seamless conversational interfaces that solve real-world problems. To prove it, I built an AI voice assistant to help me navigate the incredibly complex rules, mechanics, and card interactions of Magic: The Gathering. Plus, I'll walk you through a bunch of other use cases, and how you can apply this to your applications.
In this talk we'll cover:
- Why voice is the natural progression of AI development and human-machine interaction
- How to combine speech-to-text, LLMs, and text-to-speech into a seamless loop
- Live demo
- Limitations of voice tech and how to get around these
- Best practices for managing latency, context, and user experience in conversational apps
- A walk-through of the codebase and the existing tools you can use to start experimenting
- Other practical ways teams can leverage voice AI for productivity and accessibility
This demo is practical, fun, and showcases how developers can blend modern AI tools with natural language to turn spoken words into delightful, real-world applications.
Why messaging matters in the age of AI and how to build communication experiences
With the rapid rise of generative AI, the ways we build and interact with software are changing, and fast. However, the most impactful applications don't require complex new interfaces. Instead, they meet users right where we already are: the right messages, at the right time. By blending communication APIs with modern AI models, we can turn standard chat apps into powerful, highly engaging creative playgrounds.
In this session, we will explore this firsthand by building a workflow that transforms standard WhatsApp photos; think selfies, pet pics, and photos from the conference, into stylised cartoons and sketches ready for social media, group chats, and company message boards.
In this talk we'll cover:
- Why creating fun and engaging experiences via messaging is a massive win for user adoption
- How OpenAI's API works
- How to set up Twilio’s WhatsApp sandbox to send and receive incoming media
- How to process and transform images with OpenAI’s latest APIs; live demo!
- Smart techniques for processing, transforming, and filtering user-submitted images
- Sending images through WhatsApp
- Best practices for handling image input, latency, and user experience
- A look at the codebase and existing libraries you can use to start building today
- Other cool things you can build
This demo is practical, fun, and showcases how teams can blend communication APIs with AI to create delightful, interactive messaging experiences.
Michelle "MishManners" Duke
DevRel 🥑 | Hackathon Queen®™ | Founder | Esports Queen
Melbourne, Australia
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